Does acute insomnia affect all age groups and genders equally and what is the most effective treatment?

(Research Project, Final)

Kalima Razbek

ID 201371046

Tutor: Mark Raisen

Date of submission: 20 March 2015

Word count: 2162

University Preparatory Certificate, CPS, NU Astana

Content

Abstract 1

Key Words 2

Introduction 2

Symptoms of acute insomnia and its current prevalence. 3

Causes and risks of acute insomnia. 4

Comparison of acute insomnia among age groups and genders. 6

Treatments of acute insomnia. 8

Conclusion 9

Reflective component 10

Reference list 10

Abstract

Every average sort of person spends one-third of his life, in total, on sleeping, which demonstrates how much sleep is important in human life. However, busy lifestyle, emotional and physical problems of modern-world people cause common sleep disorders, like acute insomnia. The increased prevalence of acute insomnia all around the world and the concerns about its impacts on the entire society are becoming vital issues these days. Acute insomnia affects all age groups and genders differently, and the older people and women are mostly affected by it. There are provided several types of treatment that include non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapies. The research has found that the most effective treatment of acute insomnia is non-pharmacological therapy, particularly a cognitive behavior therapy. Hence, the main objectives of this research paper are to identify the effect of acute insomnia on different age groups and genders, and to establish the most effective treatment for that.

Key Words

Acute insomnia, gender, age groups, cognitive behavior therapy.

Introduction

Sleep is a key factor of wellbeing and healthy life that is essential to the body and its functions, restoring energy and regulating neurons and hormones that are excreted or repaired during sleep time. As Thomas Dekker said, “Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together” (Drexel University 2013, para 4). According to research of the National Sleep Foundation (2014, para 1), one-third of our lives is devoted to sleeping. Referring to studies of Schutte-Rodin and Sharon (2008, 489), approximately 30% of adults are suffering from insomnia, which is the most common type of sleep disorder in our modern society. Researchers from Northumbria University in UK Ellis Jason and Neale Laura (2012, 1278) have found that, the most often happening type of insomnia is – acute insomnia. Institute of Medicine (2006, para 20) highlights that in our society, people of different ages go through the short-term sleep deprivation, acute insomnia, and the risk of having insomnia increases with age factor. This research paper explores two age groups, first age group is the age range between 17 and 40, and the second age group covers between 40 and 70. Gender is also a major factor of acute insomnia, as females appear to have a higher risk of having insomnia, due to mental health disorders, the amount of stress and menopause (Mayo Clinic 2014, para 2). Ultimately, acute insomnia mostly affects older people and women. Fortunately, there is number of treatments for acute insomnia. The most effective treatments would improve sleep habits, lowering the potential risks of stress and conducting non-pharmacological therapy as cognitive behavior therapy.

Symptoms of acute insomnia and its current prevalence.

Insomnia (Latin, from insomnis – sleepless) is as common persistent sleep disorder, which millions of people worldwide live with. Insomnia is defined as a disease of inadequate or poor-quality sleep during a period. Acute insomnia, which is also known as adjustment, short term or mild insomnia is the most widespread type of insomnia (Peters 2014, para 2). Acute insomnia complainers are more likely to have a painful physical affliction, diabetes, overweight and high blood pressure. The National Sleep Foundation (2014, para 5) indicates that acute insomniacs have symptoms of difficulties with sleep initiation stage, where it takes more than 30 minutes to go to sleep, with sleep maintenance, which means staying awake during the night for more than 30 minutes, and with early termination, the early awakening without continuing sleep. Dr Berry’s (2012, Chapter 25) study emphasizes that the basic symptoms of acute insomnia consist of difficulty in falling asleep, poor concentration and mood changes, not feeling refreshed after the sleep and tension headache, tiredness and lack of energy daytime, and waking up in the night or early in the morning.

The number of people with acute insomnia syndrome is increasing annually. People, nowadays, are paying less attention to their sleep schedule, because of their busy lifestyle. According to the statistics from Sowder (n.d), people today sleep 20% less than it was 100 years ago. The analysis of Sleep Health Foundation (2011, 2) illustrates that, today, about 1 in 3 people have acute type of insomnia, especially among adolescents. There is high prevalence of acute insomnia in different physical and psychological conditions where insomnia submits as a high risk factor.